perfboard sources

[soundcollage]

Does anyone know an alternate source for double sided plated through pad per hole perfboard? I really like the kind smallbear offers, but it seems Steve has been backed up recently and is about to go on vacation which will really back things up. I have been trying to stick to items that I can get nowhere else (i.e. nos items) when I order from smallbear now. The ones that mouser offers are prohibitively expensive and generally too large.

[Hal]

I like the Rat Shack boards - the little ones that snap off....

they're only single sided, but they're actually a pretty fair price, and are a good size for basic circuits.  Their larger one seems to go up inconsistantly in price/size ratio, but its ok, too.  

why dont you order now, before steve leaves ? he said he's leaving july 15, right ?

[soundcollage]

I have some rat shack ones and find them difficult to use as solder bridges are always happening between pads. As far as ordring from smallbear, I already have the parts for several projects and would like the perf sooner than later. right now it take about three weeks to recieve an order from smallbear and I guess I want instant gratification. Don't get me wrong Steve's customer service is next to none, I just would like an alternate source for plated through perfboard.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

There are two different types of perfboard, the cheap kind with just copper on a bare board, and the more expensive type which is tinned pads on a board with solder resist screened over the non-solder parts. Needless to say, the second type is easier to work with.
Though, the first is OK is you scrubb the oxide off the copper before soildering.

[guitarhacknoise]

it seems like the key to receiving ANY mail order as quickly as possible is thru the combined use of two "obsolete" mediums, ie: snail mail and money order.
may sound funny so go ahead, laugh!
 sure it may take a couple of days for the order to actually reach the warehouse but with that m.o. you are actually putting "cash in hand" and cash is a very powerful tool,
 texas to texas( well it is a big state!) takes about 5-6 days
 n.y. to texas takes about 7-8 days
this has just been what i've experienced, you may get differing results.

[Eric H]

I have some rat shack ones and find them difficult to use as solder bridges are always happening between pads.

Don't take this the wrong way --but work on your soldering technique, and you might need a smaller tip for your iron. I like those boards, and havem't had a steady hand for years.

There are two different types of perfboard, the cheap kind with just copper on a bare board, and the more expensive type which is tinned pads on a board with solder resist screened over the non-solder parts. Needless to say, the second type is easier to work with.
Though, the first is OK is you scrubb the oxide off the copper before soildering.

I've pointed this out before: the Radio Shack boards are ready to go as-is --they look oxidised because they are lacquer-coated. Try soldering them without cleaning (the lacquer burns away locally). No need to coat/tin them when you're done either.

-Eric

[Hal]

it seems like the key to receiving ANY mail order as quickly as possible is thru the combined use of two "obsolete" mediums, ie: snail mail and money order.
may sound funny so go ahead, laugh!
 sure it may take a couple of days for the order to actually reach the warehouse but with that m.o. you are actually putting "cash in hand" and cash is a very powerful tool,
 texas to texas( well it is a big state!) takes about 5-6 days
 n.y. to texas takes about 7-8 days
this has just been what i've experienced, you may get differing results.

Obviously this would be fastest for Steve, but Mouser ships same day for online/credit card order.

also, if Steve is backed up, mailing a money order won't really help...

[Mark Hammer]

If you can wait, I'd go for Small Bear stuff.  Not out of allegiance to Steve, but because I have yet to see hobby-size pad-per-hole perfboard that is as decent a quality.  Back before he started selling it, Steve sent me some samples and this stuff is terrific.  The board itself is high quality green fibreglass, not that brown chippy stuff, and the pads are very nicely tinned with high quality solder (still shiny 2 years later!).  These are several notches up from whatever you'll get elsewhere.

Still, I know the feeling when a project idea is burning a hole in your cortex and you can't wait any longer, so do what you gotta do.

[Lonestarjohnny]

I have never used the copper clad perfboard, I use just the plain White Fiberglass perfboard I get from Atex Elec., It's cheap and it's a lot more fun routing my circuit the way I want it, I hand draw each circuit I perf so I understand each piece I'm going to be putting on the board and out of 20 pedals I've only had a couple of BooBoo's, mainly my eyes don't wanta see that closeup stuff, I think it's called old age,
I find this to have more of the DIY Spirit than store bought boards, I know that some circuits are to big for this type of circuit, but most small pedal circuits will fit the bill, and it looks Homemade as Hell and your buddy's will always know your's is Homemade.
Taken Pride in what you do is always rewarding when your Amigo says, Hey Dude, You do that yourself ? and you know what the answer was, LOL !
JD

[lenwood]

I have never used the copper clad perfboard, I use just the plain White Fiberglass perfboard I get from Atex Elec., It's cheap and it's a lot more fun routing my circuit the way I want it, I hand draw each circuit I perf so I understand each piece I'm going to be putting on the board and out of 20 pedals I've only had a couple of BooBoo's, mainly my eyes don't wanta see that closeup stuff, I think it's called old age,

Do you have the stock number and/or description? I went to there website but I could find it yet. I think I might look into buying some.
Thanks in advance.

[soundcollage]

So, there is no alternate source for quality board (dual sided plated-through pad per hole) other than small bear?
(my original intent for this post)

In response to my soldering technique with the rat shack boards, the bridges seem to happen because the pads are square rather than round and direct the solder to flow to adjascent pads rather than staying 'around' the pad and the lead. I have used the small bear perf and have had no similar problems.